CUBAN Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 I WAS WONDERING IF A RB26DETT POWERED 1981 280ZX BE STREET LEGAL HERE IN CA? THANKS ALEX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 no. you need a '73 or earlier 240z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUBAN Posted June 10, 2003 Author Share Posted June 10, 2003 why wouldn't it be street legal? i don't under stand how it could be street legal in a 240z and not in a 280zx thanks alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tx84ae Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 why wouldn't it be street legal? i don't under stand how it could be street legal in a 240z and not in a 280zxthanks alex A '73 is old enough to circumvent the current emissions laws. An '81 is not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob_H Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 I don't think that is accurate. The RB should NEVER be legal in a US car. The RB was never certified or sold here in the US, therefore, to the best of my understanding, is completely illegal for a car used on the road. It makes no difference if it is a pre 73 car in CA, as it had to be built to some US standard at some point. If someone disagrees, please provide a link to proof showing otherwise, not just "my buddy has a XX motor in his 71". That is following the letter of the law. Will it stop me from building mine? No, but you should understand the rules you chose to break. -Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagz Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 I believe Bob is correct. It's probably not street legal in any car. Although, with mods the referees might be persuaded to pass it. I don't really know. As the other guys posted, you have a better chance of not getting caught if it's installed in a pre-'74 vehicle. It's not that it's legal in pre '74s, it's that anything manufactured before then is not required to go through emissions testing. If you were pulled over in an RB powered '71 240Z and the officer was able to see under the hood and was astute enough to recognize what was in there, you could still be in trouble. I had a 280Z that I sold in favor of a 240Z for just that reason. I may still get in trouble but, the chances are less with a 240... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oltmann Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 Bob, I agree in principal with your point, but a company called motorex has been importing DOT/EPA certified Skylines for a couple years now. I believe they modify the engines and list themselves as the manufacturer, so this doesn't mean a Motorex RB26DETT == Nissan RB26DETT. However, if you were to obtain a motor through them, maybe you could make it legal? Anyhow, if it is possible to do this legally it is probably only a little more difficult than sawing your arm off with a pen knife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 oltmann is right I know a guy at motorex that said he could hook me up with a skyline frontclip and if I paid him for the engine and installation he could make it street legal I'm not gonna tell you what car I am putting it into because I dont want you fuckers taking my idea away but you go to motorex and work out a deal with a guy named Jebuh he'll hook you up and make your shit street legal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 oh and btw what is up with the curse sensors ? are these forums for like baby cocks or what ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 ummm 74 and before is a tailpipe inspection only.... so as long as it passes emmisions its good.... my car could be 50 state legal if i tuned it clean. i may be wrong???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUBAN Posted June 10, 2003 Author Share Posted June 10, 2003 THANKS FOR ALL UR HELP U GUYS ALEX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 oh and btw what is up with the curse sensors ? are these forums for like baby cocks or what ? No, these forums are for the mature discussion of Mods to the Z. Young kids DO find this site (I'm glad of that) and we have the curse sensor on for that reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 curse senson what the **** didnt know one existed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob_H Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 There is a fairly important difference with what you are talking about. First, I am well aware of Motorex, as I have a RB26dett, though not through them. There is a big difference between making an entire car legal according to DOT's rules and legalizing a motor,(of which there is no procedure or guidelines, i.e. you can't do it). DOT has made certain rules to legalize a non US origin car. It is much, much eaiser for cars that were also sold in the US originally, even if w/o the same motor. It involves putting catalytic converters, DOT legal windshields, different bumpers if required,(think of the old Lamborghini Countach and the huge bumpers) among other changes. For cars that were not originally sold in the US, the importer must crash test a few models to prove that they meet the US standards. The importer is licenced to do this. The motor by itself is an entirely different matter. I'm not blowing smoke here, and again, unless you have absolute proof, i.e. a link to the law, I'd bet good money what I said was dead on as I have researched it for some time. Not saying people don't put motors in, or haven't before, but it has never been legal. It just isn't something that is checked. Again, be aware of what rules you are choosing to break. -Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 i was told by the referee in alaska that pre 74 is only a tailpipe inspection (Emmisions) and they dont even open the hood. is it legal not sure but it will pass the inspection and will get licensed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUBAN Posted June 11, 2003 Author Share Posted June 11, 2003 SO UR SAYING IT CAN'T BE MADE LEGAL? WELL I'LL GUESS I MIGHT HAVE TO SELL MY CAR AND GET SCION IN TWO YEARS WHEN I COULD DRIVE THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP ALEX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUBAN Posted June 11, 2003 Author Share Posted June 11, 2003 HOW BIG OF A TICKET IF U GET CAUGHT WITH A RB26 UNDER THE HOOD? THANKS ALEX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 Federal offense...HUGE $$$$$$$$, plus time with Bubba. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUBAN Posted June 12, 2003 Author Share Posted June 12, 2003 really? then i might just sell my car then, anyone want to a 1981 datsun 280zx white exterior and red interior could be fully restored with about 3-4 grand thanks alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted June 12, 2003 Share Posted June 12, 2003 bob, When i was in california if the car only needed a tailpipe test becasue of its age. they didnt care what motor you had in it. im pretty sure that if you had a pre emmisions car that you could have anything in there and be legal. now if it is an emissions car and you put a later model motor in it will be required to meet all the rules for whatever year was applicable for that motor. In a way i think you are right though. but if its not required to even open the hood and look how you gonna get caught ;> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.